What is a “quiet title action”?

A “quiet title action” is a legal proceeding specifically designed to resolve challenges or disputes regarding the ownership of real property. The primary purpose of this action is to establish and clarify the title of a property, thereby confirming the legitimacy of the ownership against any claims that may be raised by others. This is essential in real estate transactions because it ensures that the party seeking to establish title can do so without any encumbrances or legal battles that could arise from competing claims.

In scenarios where there are unknown heirs, liens, or claims against the property that may not have been resolved, a quiet title action can effectively "quiet" those claims, confirming the rightful owner's title. This legal measure is important for providing assurance to potential buyers and lenders about the state of a property's title.

The other options address different legal and real estate concepts. Evicting tenants relates to landlord-tenant law, a title search is a preliminary examination of public records regarding a property's ownership history but does not resolve disputes, and negotiating property prices is a part of the sale process but not relevant to establishing title clarity. Thus, the correct answer focuses on the unique purpose of quiet title actions within property law.